Illinois Budget 10.30.08

Thursday

Oct 30, 2008 at 12:01 AMOct 30, 2008 at 4:23 AM

Illinois Budget 10.30.08

Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at www.gatehousenewsservice.com. Please check www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news in the evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.

If your paper has a story, digest item, opinion piece or standalone photo to share, please e-mail it to Illinois@gatehousemedia.com.

REDESIGN: New York daily, weekly groups roll out new look.
http://ghnewsroom.com/news.php?newsid=1225378450

TODAY’S SPOTLIGHT

Troupes help seniors, disabled find their place on stage

ROCKFORD – Since retiring as a Methodist minister, Robert H. King has been a pimp, a judge and, well, God himself. And it’s all happened thanks to AgeQuake Theatre, a local acting troupe created specifically for senior citizens. It was the brainpower of 68-year-old Joan E. Kole, a lifelong actress who found there were fewer and fewer roles available for her as she aged. By Elizabeth Davies of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/features/x1157504566

STATE BRIEFS: News from around the state. POSTED.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x199481488

CELLINI INDICTED: William Cellini, a Springfield political insider linked to Tony Rezko, was indicted Thursday for his alleged role in defrauding the state Teachers Retirement System. By Bernard Schoenburg of the State Journal-Register. POSTED. Sidebars will be added.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x115750498

CON-CON MONEY -- Millions of dollars have been raised by the "yes" and "no" sides in the debate over whether Illinois should have a constitutional question. Almost all of it is being raised by the "no" side, which is attracting some big money from business and labor groups. The "yes" side says it always knew it would have less money, but it thinks its message is superior and helps offset the imbalance. By Adriana Colindres of the State Capitol bureau. Will be posted this evening. HELD.

With:

LEGISLATIVE MONEY -- An update on fundraising by local legislative candidates in the final days of the election. By Doug Finke of the State Capitol bureau. Will be posted this evening. HELD.

Photo gallery: A look back at John B. Anderson’s run for president

Rockford's dark horse faced long odds, but it didn't matter. On June 8, 1979, John B. Anderson told a hometown audience of 750, "I am seeking the Republican nomination for President of the United States." A photo gallery compiled from the archives of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1588597117

ILLINOIS BUSINESS
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois_business

Program matches older workers, employment

SPRINGFIELD – William “Burpee” Thomas was determined to get a job in Springfield. Retired from a prison ministry in Rantoul, Thomas found his way to new employment through Experience Works, a national organization that helps low-income people 55 and older get job training. By Tamara Browning of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1157504541

Fright Night is a retailer's delight

PEORIA – The economy may be scarier than the holiday this year, but shoppers aren't being spooked out of spending money for Halloween. By Steve Tarter of the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1588597098

ROCKFORD – Like many of its survivors, Deborah Breiter hopes there comes a day when no one has to hear their doctor say “You have breast cancer.” That she may have had a hand in bringing that day about excites the Rockford College professor of chemistry and biochemistry about a research project she started work on at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford during a 2006 sabbatical. By Mike DeDoncker of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/lifestyle/health/x1157504427

Center works to ease the hurt for abused children

Dr. Kay Saving has been medical director of the Pediatric Resource Center since she helped establish the facility in 1993. Even after 15 years, Saving sometimes inadequately braces herself to see an abused child. “Just going in and seeing the degree of injury that can be done to the child, you don't always expect the impact of going into the room,” Saving said. “It can really affect you.” By Ryan Ori of the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x635419058

WIU plans to use vegetation to extend life of roofs

MACOMB – Western Illinois University officials hope the roof spaces of the school's new Multicultural Center will soon be sprouting. Four separate roofs on the school's new two-story $6.5 million center will be covered with vegetation, which is projected to double the roof's life. By Jodi Pospeschil of the Peoria Journal Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1588596989

Capitol Steps specialize in Washington funny business

For the political-comedy singing troupe The Capitol Steps, the week before an election is kind of like the second week in April for accountants. By Brian Mackey of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x1157503024

MIKE NADEL: Mike Singletary, the ex-Bears Hall of Famer turned 49ers interim coach, is hearing, "Way to go!" from coast to coast for the hard-line discipline he took against a player last week. In the long run, however, is it really the best way to deal with today's coddled athlete? Will be posted this evening. POSTED.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/sports/x1588597528

Bears look to get Forte back on track

LAKE FOREST – The Bears like to talk about how well Matt Forte blocks and catches. Forte talks about that, too. But he’s a running back. By definition, that’s his most important job. And one of the most exciting Bears’ offensive rookies of the last quarter century has been running in place most of the season. By Matt Trowbridge of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/sports/pro/football/bears/x635419050